Toby Elmore, Head Soccer Coach, Stevenson School

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, Toby Elmore, 2024 CCS champion soccer coach, and NorCal Finalist, shares his extensive journey in coaching high school soccer, from his early days of falling in love with the game to becoming a head coach at Stevenson. Elmore shares insights into his initial challenges, the importance of building a positive team culture, and his experiences with different schools and coaching philosophies. He discusses the significance of formal coaching education, lessons learned from observing other sports, and reflects on how aspects of teaching and coaching intersect, particularly through his PhD studies on student engagement. Additionally, Elmore explores the value of kindness and its impact, even in professional settings such as accreditation visits.

00:00 Welcome to the Contacts Coaching Podcast with Toby Elmore

00:16 Journey to Becoming a Section Champion Soccer Coach

00:29 Early Love for Soccer and the Path to Coaching

01:01 From College Benchwarmer to High School Coaching Success

01:41 Navigating the Challenges of Head Coaching Roles

03:51 Learning from Missteps and Building a Positive Team Culture

08:00 The Importance of Culture in Coaching Across Different Teams

10:06 Adapting Coaching Styles to Fit Team Cultures and Core Values

13:52 The Impact of Soccer Licensure and Diploma Programs on Coaching

20:13 Reflecting on Coaching Philosophy and Practice Evolution

23:25 The Philosophy of Training vs. Practice

24:03 Building a Positive Team Culture

24:37 The Power of Informal Team Bonding

27:07 Leadership and Team Dynamics

29:43 Learning from Other Sports

36:50 Reflecting on Coaching and Teaching Practices

42:22 The Impact of Kindness and Authenticity

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